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“Puget Sound.” Puget Sound - Washington State Department of Ecology, State of Washington, 2020, www.ecy.wa.gov/puget_sound/overview.html.
Cyberwest. “Ancient Seismic Stresses at Work in Puget Sound Region.” Cyberwest, 9 June 2009, cyberwest.com/puget_seismic_stress. Accessed 27 Sept. 2023.
Puget Sound Action Team. “2007 Puget Sound Update: Ninth Report of the Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program.” Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Feb. 2007, wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01051. Accessed 27 Sept. 2023.
Editorial Board of University of Washington. “Puget Sound Science Review.” Encyclopedia of Puget Sound, Apr. 2011, www.eopugetsound.org/science-review/5-forage-fishes. Accessed 27 Sept. 2023.
Fodors.com. “Great Barrier Reef Travel Guide - Expert Picks for Your Vacation.” Fodor’s Travel, www.fodors.com/world/australia-and-the-pacific/australia/queensland/great-barrier-reef.
Eilperin, Juliet. “Great Barrier Reef Has Lost Half Its Corals Since 1985, New Study Says.” Washington Post, 19 May 2023, www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/great-barrier-reef-has-lost-half-its-corals-since-1985-new-study-says/2012/10/01/c733025c-0bda-11e2-bb5e-492c0d30bff6_story.html?wprss=rss_social-nation-headlines&Post+generic=. Accessed 27 Sept. 2023.
Woodyatt, Amy. “The Great Barrier Reef Has Lost Half Its Corals Within 3 Decades.” CNN Edition, 14 Oct. 2020, edition.cnn.com/travel/article/great-barrier-reef-coral-loss-intl-scli-climate-scn/index.html. Accessed 27 Sept. 2023.

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Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 2019, Annual Report 2018–19, GBRMPA, Townsville.

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Marine protected areas as of November 2022  Source- Russell Moffitt for the Marine Protection Atlas at Marine Conservation Institute

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Coral Reefs have been bleaching at alarming rates Source: Climate Source (Australian Bureau of Meteorology)

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Coho Salmon numbers have been in decline since 1984 Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

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Ferries are very commonly used in Seattle  Credit: Stuart Isett for The New York Times

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 The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world CREDIT: Tourism and events Queensland Jordan Robins

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Causes of Differences:

Location: Puget Sound and the Great Barrier Reef are geographically distinct regions with unique ecosystems. Differences in climate, geography, and marine life contribute to variations in the causes and effects of environmental changes.

Climate and Geography: Puget Sound is located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, while the Great Barrier Reef is situated in the Coral Sea off the coast of Australia. Differences in water temperature, ocean currents, and geography result in distinct environmental conditions.

Human Activities: The causes of environmental changes in each location are influenced by different human activities. In Puget Sound, urban development, overfishing, and pollution are significant drivers. In contrast, the Great Barrier Reef faces challenges primarily from climate change-related coral bleaching and human activities like coastal development.

Effects of Differences:

Economic Impact: The economic effects of environmental changes differ. In Puget Sound, the impact is seen in fisheries and tourism, while the Great Barrier Reef experiences economic repercussions through tourism revenue loss.

Social and Cultural Impact: Social and cultural effects vary between the two locations. In Puget Sound, changes affect recreational opportunities and local communities, while in the Great Barrier Reef, indigenous communities and their cultural practices are impacted.

Environmental Impact: The environmental effects include declining biodiversity in both locations but are driven by different causes, such as pollution in Puget Sound and coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef.

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While ocean acidification is a global concern, its localized impacts vary significantly. In Australia, the Great Barrier Reef, is an international icon and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This natural wonder is renowned for its biodiversity, drawing millions of tourists yearly and contributing substantially to the economy of Queensland. However, the reef faces critical threats, including coral bleaching and degradation, with consequences extending beyond its ecological significance. Meanwhile, in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, Puget Sound, a vital estuarine system, supports a thriving shellfish industry and spans many ecosystems. Its proximity to major urban centers like Seattle underscores its economic and cultural importance, but it also faces a distinct localized challenge: ocean acidification due to rising carbon dioxide levels. This threat directly impacts shellfish production, making conservation efforts and emissions reduction strategies imperative to protect both the ecosystem and the livelihoods it sustains.

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Satellite View of Puget Sound and surrounding waterways, taken by Sentinel-2 in 2018                          https://scihub.copernicus.eu/dhus/#/home

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Puget Sound, located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, is an estuarine system known for its shellfish-rich waters. It is home to a thriving shellfish industry and spans a diverse ecosystem. The region faces the challenge of ocean acidification due to rising carbon dioxide levels, which affects shellfish larval development. This underscores the economic and cultural importance of the area. Conservation efforts and emissions reduction strategies are crucial to safeguard Puget Sound's health and its shellfish industry.

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Puget Sound is in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It extends approximately between 48°30'N to 47°00'N in latitude and from 123°00'W to 122°10'W in longitude. This intricate estuarine system is a defining feature of the region, with its absolute location playing a crucial role in its ecological and economic significance.

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Image of part of the Great Barrier Reef adjacent to Queensland, taken from the International Space Station https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/2415032463

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The Great Barrier Reef is situated along the northeastern coast of Australia, spanning an area ranging from 60 km to 250 km wide from around 10⁰41’ South to 24⁰ 42’ South in latitude and from 145⁰ 35’ East to 153⁰ 37’ East in longitude. This immense coral reef system is found in the tropical waters of the Coral Sea, showcasing its absolute location in the context of Australia's coastline.

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Helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef at the Whitsunday Islands, Australia. https://www.flickr.com/photos/sackerman519/4251357083/

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The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is the world's largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 kilometers and covering approximately 344,400 square kilometers. Renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity, it houses over 1,500 species of fish and more than 400 species of coral. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist attraction, it contributes significantly to the economy. However, it faces threats such as coral bleaching due to climate change, coastal development, and pollution. Conservation efforts led by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority aim to protect this vital ecosystem.